{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,6,5]],"date-time":"2026-06-05T21:37:32Z","timestamp":1780695452024,"version":"3.54.1"},"reference-count":45,"publisher":"MDPI AG","issue":"10","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2021,5,17]],"date-time":"2021-05-17T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1621209600000},"content-version":"vor","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0\/"}],"content-domain":{"domain":[],"crossmark-restriction":false},"short-container-title":["IJERPH"],"abstract":"<jats:p>The purpose of the study was to describe the differences between the dominant and non-dominant leg regarding contractility response and quadriceps strength and the morphology and stiffness of the patellar tendon (PT) in a group of physically active men and women. Fifty physically active subjects (36 men and 14 women) were evaluated for morphology and stiffness of the PT, contractility response of the rectus femoris of the quadriceps, isometric strength of the quadriceps and hamstrings, and isokinetic strength (concentric and eccentric) at 60\u00b0\/s of the knee extensors. The measurements were made on the subject\u2019s dominant and non-dominant leg. The men showed a greater thickness of the PT in both legs compared to the women. Regarding the contractility response, the women recorded a 10.1 \u00b1 16.2% (p = 0.038) greater contraction time (ct) in the dominant versus the non-dominant leg and the men recorded 11.9% (p = 0.040) higher values in the dominant leg compared to the women. In all the absolute strength measurements the men recorded higher values (p &lt; 0.05) than the women, however, when the values were normalised with respect to the muscle mass of the leg these differences disappeared. The dominant leg showed values of isometric strength and eccentric strength at 60\u00b0\/s (p &lt; 0.05) greater than the non-dominant leg. The reference values provided in this study of the knee extensors and PT may be useful for detecting possible muscular or tendinous anomalies.<\/jats:p>","DOI":"10.3390\/ijerph18105309","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2021,5,17]],"date-time":"2021-05-17T05:45:13Z","timestamp":1621230313000},"page":"5309","update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/mdpi_crossmark_policy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":6,"title":["Morphology of the Patellar Tendon and the Contractility Response of the Quadriceps: Symmetry and Gender Analysis"],"prefix":"10.3390","volume":"18","author":[{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-6976-0740","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Pablo","family":"Abi\u00e1n","sequence":"first","affiliation":[{"name":"Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, Comillas Pontifical University, 28049 Madrid, Spain"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Fernando","family":"Mart\u00ednez","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Performance and Sport Rehabilitation Laboratory, Faculty of Sport Sciences, University of Castilla-La Mancha, 45071 Toledo, Spain"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Fernando","family":"Jim\u00e9nez","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Performance and Sport Rehabilitation Laboratory, Faculty of Sport Sciences, University of Castilla-La Mancha, 45071 Toledo, Spain"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0001-9635-3289","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Javier","family":"Abi\u00e1n-Vic\u00e9n","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Performance and Sport Rehabilitation Laboratory, Faculty of Sport Sciences, University of Castilla-La Mancha, 45071 Toledo, Spain"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]}],"member":"1968","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2021,5,17]]},"reference":[{"key":"ref_1","unstructured":"Hamill, J., Knutzen, K.M., and Derrick, T.R. (2014). Biomechanical Basis of Human Movement, Lippincott Williams & Wilkins."},{"key":"ref_2","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"3105","DOI":"10.1016\/j.jbiomech.2007.03.022","article-title":"Maximun voluntary joint torque as a function of joint angle and angular velocity: Model development and application to the lower limb","volume":"40","author":"Anderson","year":"2007","journal-title":"J. Biomech."},{"key":"ref_3","unstructured":"ACSM (2013). ACSM\u2019s Health-Related Physical Fitness Assessment Manual, Lippincott Willians & Wilkins."},{"key":"ref_4","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"638","DOI":"10.1177\/036354659502300520","article-title":"Eccentric and concentric strength of the shoulder and arm musculature in collegiate baseball pitchers","volume":"23","author":"Mikesky","year":"1995","journal-title":"Am. J. Sports Med."},{"key":"ref_5","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"59","DOI":"10.1177\/036354659702500111","article-title":"An eccentric- and concentric-strength profile of shoulder external and internal rotator muscles in professional baseball pitchers","volume":"25","author":"Sirota","year":"1997","journal-title":"Am. J. Sports Med."},{"key":"ref_6","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"131","DOI":"10.1016\/j.math.2013.09.002","article-title":"The effects of Kinesio taping on muscle tone in healthy subjects: A double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover trial","volume":"19","year":"2014","journal-title":"Man. Ther."},{"key":"ref_7","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1283","DOI":"10.1016\/j.jelekin.2013.09.004","article-title":"Validity and reliability of isometric, isokinetic and isoinertial modalities for the assessment of quadriceps muscle strength in patients with total knee arthroplasty","volume":"23","author":"Lienhard","year":"2013","journal-title":"J. Electromyogr. Kinesiol."},{"key":"ref_8","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"133","DOI":"10.1152\/japplphysiol.00849.2014","article-title":"Ultrasound-based testing of tendon mechanical properties: A critical evaluation","volume":"118","author":"Seynnes","year":"2015","journal-title":"J. Appl. Physiol."},{"key":"ref_9","unstructured":"Bravo-Sanchez, A., Abian, P., Sousa, F., Jimenez, F., and Abian-Vicen, J. (2020). Influence of Badminton Practice on Age-Related Changes in Patellar and Achilles Tendons. J. Aging Phys. Act., 1\u20139."},{"key":"ref_10","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"15","DOI":"10.1016\/j.ultrasmedbio.2014.08.019","article-title":"Diagnostic performance of axial-strain sonoelastography in confirming clinically diagnosed Achilles tendinopathy: Comparison with B-mode ultrasound and color Doppler imaging","volume":"41","author":"Ooi","year":"2015","journal-title":"Ultrasound Med. Biol."},{"key":"ref_11","first-page":"394","article-title":"Real-time sonoelastography: Findings in patients with symptomatic achilles tendons and comparison to healthy volunteers","volume":"31","author":"Chhem","year":"2010","journal-title":"Ultraschall Med."},{"key":"ref_12","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Bravo-Sanchez, A., Abian, P., Jimenez, F., and Abian-Vicen, J. (2019). Myotendinous asymmetries derived from the prolonged practice of badminton in professional players. PLoS ONE, 14.","DOI":"10.1371\/journal.pone.0222190"},{"key":"ref_13","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"762","DOI":"10.1111\/1756-185X.12241","article-title":"Ultrasound elastography is a reproducible and feasible tool for the evaluation of the patellar tendon in healthy subjects","volume":"17","author":"Porta","year":"2014","journal-title":"Int. J. Rheum. Dis."},{"key":"ref_14","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Zhang, Z.J., Ng, G.Y., Lee, W.C., and Fu, S.N. (2014). Changes in morphological and elastic properties of patellar tendon in athletes with unilateral patellar tendinopathy and their relationships with pain and functional disability. PLoS ONE, 9.","DOI":"10.1371\/journal.pone.0108337"},{"key":"ref_15","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Abian, P., Martinez, F., Jimenez, F., and Abian-Vicen, J. (2020). Effects of Eccentric Single-Leg Decline Squat Exercise on the Morphological and Structural Properties of the Vastus Lateralis and Patellar Tendon. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health, 17.","DOI":"10.3390\/ijerph17249410"},{"key":"ref_16","first-page":"620","article-title":"Tensiomiograf\u00eda, utilidad y metodolog\u00eda en la evaluaci\u00f3n muscular","volume":"10","author":"Quiroga","year":"2012","journal-title":"Rev. Int. Med. Cienc. Act. F\u00edsica Deporte"},{"key":"ref_17","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"619","DOI":"10.1080\/02640414.2010.548822","article-title":"Assessment of muscle fatigue after an ultra-endurance triathlon using tensiomyography (TMG)","volume":"29","author":"Sarmiento","year":"2011","journal-title":"J. Sports Sci."},{"key":"ref_18","first-page":"399","article-title":"Study of mechanical characteristics of the knee extensor and flexor musculature of volleyball players","volume":"12","author":"Quiroga","year":"2011","journal-title":"Eur. J. Sport Sci."},{"key":"ref_19","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1042","DOI":"10.1080\/02640414.2014.981849","article-title":"The ingestion of a caffeinated energy drink improves jump performance and activity patterns in elite badminton players","volume":"33","author":"Abian","year":"2015","journal-title":"J. Sports Sci."},{"key":"ref_20","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Domaszewski, P., Pakosz, P., Konieczny, M., B\u0105czkowicz, D., and Sadowska-Kr\u0119pa, E. (2021). Caffeine-Induced Effects on Human Skeletal Muscle Contraction Time and Maximal Displacement Measured by Tensiomyography. Nutrients, 13.","DOI":"10.3390\/nu13030815"},{"key":"ref_21","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"123","DOI":"10.2478\/hukin-2019-0061","article-title":"The Influence of the Menstrual Cycle on Muscle Strength and Power Performance","volume":"68","author":"Coso","year":"2019","journal-title":"J. Hum. Kinet."},{"key":"ref_22","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"2525","DOI":"10.1007\/s00394-019-02100-7","article-title":"Ergogenic effects of caffeine on peak aerobic cycling power during the menstrual cycle","volume":"59","author":"Lara","year":"2020","journal-title":"Eur. J. Nutr."},{"key":"ref_23","first-page":"166","article-title":"Protocolo de valoraci\u00f3n de la composici\u00f3n corporal para el reconocimiento m\u00e9dico-deportivo. Documento de consenso del grupo espa\u00f1ol de cineantropometr\u00eda de la federaci\u00f3n espa\u00f1ola de medicina del deporte","volume":"26","author":"Alvero","year":"2009","journal-title":"Arch. Med. Deporte"},{"key":"ref_24","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Draganidis, D., Jamurtas, A.Z., Stampoulis, T., Laschou, V.C., Deli, C.K., Georgakouli, K., Papanikolaou, K., Chatzinikolaou, A., Michalopoulou, M., and Papadopoulos, C. (2018). Disparate Habitual Physical Activity and Dietary Intake Profiles of Elderly Men with Low and Elevated Systemic Inflammation. Nutrients, 10.","DOI":"10.3390\/nu10050566"},{"key":"ref_25","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Cassel, M., Baur, H., Hirschmuller, A., Carlsohn, A., Frohlich, K., and Mayer, F. (2014). Prevalence of Achilles and patellar tendinopathy and their association to intratendinous changes in adolescent athletes. Scand. J. Med. Sci. Sports.","DOI":"10.1111\/sms.12318"},{"key":"ref_26","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"837","DOI":"10.1148\/radiol.13121936","article-title":"Achilles tendon assessed with sonoelastography: Histologic agreement","volume":"267","author":"Klauser","year":"2013","journal-title":"Radiology"},{"key":"ref_27","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"565","DOI":"10.7863\/ultra.16.03032","article-title":"Shear Wave Elastography Is a Reliable and Repeatable Method for Measuring the Elastic Modulus of the Rectus Femoris Muscle and Patellar Tendon","volume":"36","author":"Tas","year":"2017","journal-title":"J. Ultrasound Med."},{"key":"ref_28","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Piqueras-Sanchiz, F., Martin-Rodriguez, S., Martinez-Aranda, L.M., Lopes, T.R., Raya-Gonzalez, J., Garcia-Garcia, O., and Nakamura, F.Y. (2019). Effects of moderate vs. high iso-inertial loads on power, velocity, work and hamstring contractile function after flywheel resistance exercise. PLoS ONE, 14.","DOI":"10.1371\/journal.pone.0215567"},{"key":"ref_29","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"51","DOI":"10.1007\/BF02345266","article-title":"Evaluation of the ability to make non-invasive estimation of muscle contractile properties on the basis of the muscle belly response","volume":"39","author":"Dahmane","year":"2001","journal-title":"Med. Biol. Eng. Comput."},{"key":"ref_30","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"240","DOI":"10.1111\/j.1525-1594.1997.tb04658.x","article-title":"Measuring of skeletal muscles\u2019 dynamic properties","volume":"21","author":"Valencic","year":"1997","journal-title":"Artif. Organs"},{"key":"ref_31","unstructured":"Delagi, E.F. (1975). Anatomic Guide for the Electromyographer: The Limbs., Charles C. Thomas."},{"key":"ref_32","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Mu\u00f1oz-L\u00f3pez, A., De Hoyo, M., Nu\u00f1ez, F.J., and Sa\u00f1udo, B. (2020). Using Tensiomyography to Assess Changes in Knee Muscle Contraction Properties After Concentric and Eccentric Fatiguing Muscle Actions. J. Strength Cond. Res.","DOI":"10.1519\/JSC.0000000000003562"},{"key":"ref_33","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"2451","DOI":"10.1016\/j.jbiomech.2004.10.020","article-title":"Spatial fiber type distribution in normal human muscle Histochemical and tensiomyographical evaluation","volume":"38","author":"Dahmane","year":"2005","journal-title":"J. Biomech."},{"key":"ref_34","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"075007","DOI":"10.1088\/1361-6579\/ab1cef","article-title":"The effect of inter-electrode distance on radial muscle displacement and contraction time of the biceps femoris, gastrocnemius medialis and biceps brachii, using tensiomyography in healthy participants","volume":"40","author":"Wilson","year":"2019","journal-title":"Physiol. Meas."},{"key":"ref_35","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"761","DOI":"10.1016\/j.jelekin.2010.02.008","article-title":"Inter-rater reliability of muscle contractile property measurements using non-invasive tensiomyography","volume":"20","author":"Moras","year":"2010","journal-title":"J. Electromyogr. Kinesiol."},{"key":"ref_36","unstructured":"Glass, G., McGaw, B., and Smith, M. (1981). Meta-Analysis in Social Research, Sage."},{"key":"ref_37","unstructured":"Cohen, J. (1988). Statistical Power Analysis for the Behavioral Sciences, Lawrence Erlbaum Associates."},{"key":"ref_38","first-page":"373","article-title":"Sonoelastography in the evaluation of painful Achilles tendon in amateur athletes","volume":"28","author":"Sconfienza","year":"2010","journal-title":"Clin. Exp. Rheumatol."},{"key":"ref_39","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"412","DOI":"10.1093\/ptj\/60.4.412","article-title":"Strength of isometric and isokinetic contractions: Knee muscles of men aged 20 to 86","volume":"60","author":"Murray","year":"1980","journal-title":"Phys. Ther."},{"key":"ref_40","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"76","DOI":"10.1177\/036354659101900113","article-title":"Preseason strength and flexibility imbalances associated with athletic injuries in female collegiate athletes","volume":"19","author":"Knapik","year":"1991","journal-title":"Am. J. Sports Med."},{"key":"ref_41","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"21","DOI":"10.1123\/jsr.19.1.21","article-title":"Functional isokinetic strength ratios in baseball players with injured elbows","volume":"19","author":"Lin","year":"2010","journal-title":"J. Sport Rehabil."},{"key":"ref_42","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"227","DOI":"10.2478\/hukin-2014-0050","article-title":"Isokinetic leg strength and power in elite handball players","volume":"41","author":"Juarez","year":"2014","journal-title":"J. Hum. Kinet."},{"key":"ref_43","first-page":"26","article-title":"Muscular strength and strength asymmetreies in elite and sub-elite professional soccer players","volume":"7","author":"Maly","year":"2014","journal-title":"Sport Sci."},{"key":"ref_44","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"59","DOI":"10.1136\/bjsm.31.1.59","article-title":"Measurement of the quadriceps femoris muscle using magnetic resonance and ultrasound imaging","volume":"31","author":"Walton","year":"1997","journal-title":"Br. J. Sports Med."},{"key":"ref_45","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Weide, G., van der Zwaard, S., Huijing, P.A., Jaspers, R.T., and Harlaar, J. (2017). 3D Ultrasound Imaging: Fast and Cost-effective Morphometry of Musculoskeletal Tissue. J. Vis. Exp.","DOI":"10.3791\/55943-v"}],"container-title":["International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health"],"original-title":[],"language":"en","link":[{"URL":"https:\/\/www.mdpi.com\/1660-4601\/18\/10\/5309\/pdf","content-type":"unspecified","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"similarity-checking"}],"deposited":{"date-parts":[[2025,10,11]],"date-time":"2025-10-11T06:02:32Z","timestamp":1760162552000},"score":1,"resource":{"primary":{"URL":"https:\/\/www.mdpi.com\/1660-4601\/18\/10\/5309"}},"subtitle":[],"short-title":[],"issued":{"date-parts":[[2021,5,17]]},"references-count":45,"journal-issue":{"issue":"10","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2021,5]]}},"alternative-id":["ijerph18105309"],"URL":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/ijerph18105309","relation":{},"ISSN":["1660-4601"],"issn-type":[{"value":"1660-4601","type":"electronic"}],"subject":[],"published":{"date-parts":[[2021,5,17]]}}}